Game Notes: After giving up five runs in 4.1 innings in his first start of the year, Brandon Cumpton has combined to allow three runs on 11 hits in 13 innings over his last two starts, with a 7:2 K/BB ratio. Victor Black now has pitched five innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on eight hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. Duke Welker’s earned run tonight was his first of the season in seven innings. He’s got a 6:1 K/BB ratio in that span. Quincy Latimore hit his first homer of the year, but now has 13 strikeouts in 41 at-bats (31.7%).

Game Notes: Jameson Taillon had a dominant start for the second straight game. In two starts in a row he has gone five innings, allowing one run, no walks, and striking out six. On the season he has a 2.63 ERA in 13.2 innings, with an 18:2 K/BB ratio. On Sunday I wrote about how Taillon was working to reduce the drop in his delivery, which should prevent a lot of the hard hit balls we’ve seen against him in the past. Eliecer Navarro came on in relief for three shutout innings, and now has a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 innings this year, with a 10:1 K/BB ratio. Dan Grovatt hit an RBI single in the tenth inning, and Jason Townsend came on for the save to give Bradenton the extra innings win.

Game Notes: Fuesser has allowed four earned runs in 11 innings this year. In his first two starts he walked nine and struck out five. Today was a much better outcome with his control. Trent Stevenson gave up six runs, five earned, on six hits in 0.2 innings today. He’s given up ten earned runs in 3.2 innings over his last two outings. Alen Hanson extended his hitting streak to ten games, and his double extended his extra-base hitting streak to seven games. Gregory Polanco and Willy Garcia both stole two bases tonight, giving both outfielders three on the season. Polanco also hit his second triple of the year.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

Tim Williams

Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim lives in Bradenton, where he provides live coverage all year of Spring Training, mini camp, instructs, the Bradenton Marauders, and the GCL Pirates.

uh oh, I think somebody has a little confidence going… Mr. Alderson – good for you turning it around. Everyone knows that NH has a thing for funky deliveries too. Keep up this nasty type pitching and we could see you in the bigs this year.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=72405411 Ian Rothermund

Tim,

Do you know what the pitch breakdown for Taillon has looked like this year so far? I realize there are probably a few less fastballs involved per/9, I just haven’t seen any specifics. Also, does he actually use a slider? I’ve read a few articles that said he’s flashed a plus slider, they’ve also mentioned on MLB network. Lastly, how does the change-up he’s been working on match up against his other pitches?

Then again, to say that the MLB network, or specifically the commentators have any idea about most of what they’re talking about before it comes on the teleprompter might be a bit of a stretch.

http://www.piratesprospects.com Tim Williams

He throws a fastball, curve, and change. He used to throw a two-seam fastball and a slider, but he is only focusing on the three pitches right now.

A lot of people call his curve a slider. That’s because it has such a sharp break that it can easily be confused with a slider. But it’s a curveball. That’s what he calls it, and that’s what every scout I’ve spoken to calls it.

He’s still working on the changeup. His fastball and slider are plus pitches. His change isn’t near that yet.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=72405411 Ian Rothermund

Wait,

“….His fastball and slider are plus pitches. His change isn’t near that yet.”

Did you mean curve?

I’m pleased with that though, there’s no reason to be focusing on pitches that he’ll be throwing less than 10% of the time in the majors. The two-seam will be an easy pitch for him to work on at the major league level, so will the slider I think, if he even chooses to throw it. The two-seam isn’t naturally going to be a difficult pitch to throw for someone that already has a 4-seam down, it’s not a cutter or anything. I see a cutter serving the purpose of running the ball in on batters for guys with an average to below average fastballs. Otherwise, I don’t see the additional strain on the arm worthwhile.

http://www.piratesprospects.com Tim Williams

Hah. Yeah, curve. Typed slider so many times…

Lee Young

I love the way Santos is hitting. That jump to AA didn’t bother him a bit, seemingly. If I’m Andrew Lambo, I might start looking towards my ‘life’s work’ as AS doesn’t look like he’s giving up RF anytime soon.

Speaking of life’s work, Stevenson looks more and more like a dud. Oh well….they can’t all be draft gems.

http://www.piratesprospects.com Tim Williams

It’s a small sample size for Santos, but he is an interesting guy to watch. Only 23 at-bats so far. Lambo’s injury definitely opens the door for more playing time.

Thom Kay

Free Brandon Boggs?

If our offense continues to struggle, any chance we could soon bring up the switch hitter who is absolutely crushing it in AAA?

http://www.piratesprospects.com Tim Williams

I think he’s more outfield depth. This is his fifth year in Triple-A, so I’d take his numbers with a grain of salt.

szielinski

Carvajal hit into a triple play last night. It looked like the Power would score ten runs before the River Dogs got one. But…

Garcia whiffs a lot.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-A-Bishop/1295607951 Robert A Bishop